The Hindu : Full-fledged isolation ward coming up at GH

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, May 06, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Kerala-Thiruvananthapuram

Full-fledged isolation ward coming up at GH

By M. Dinesh Varma

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM May 5. A full-fledged isolation ward is coming up at the General Hospital (GH) here to quarantine patients with contagious diseases, especially the dreaded Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

The self-contained 10-bedded ward would be equipped with modern facilities ranging from incubators to ambubags and pulse oxymeters. The isolation ward would also house suspected SARS cases.

Patients would be retained in the ward for a minimum observation period of 10 days or until the results of confirmatory tests on serological samples are received. A layout of cubicle at the ward would facilitate barrier nursing.

Besides the patients, separate rooms for treating doctors and paramedical staff have also been designed at the new unit. The centrally air-conditioned unit would also be devoid of exhaust to offset risks of droplet spread of diseases like SARS, which spread through the respiratory route.

The hospital authorities have also planned a separate area for patients who report SARS positive. The three-bedded unit would be equipped with ventilators and blood gas analysers in addition to a range of utilities for preliminary investigations. Specially designed curtains would be used to facilitate the practice of flexible isolation.

``The isolation ward has been planned as long-term and permanent measure to tackle any epidemic,'' says Jeevan, General Hospital Superintendent. Arrangements had been made to have separate disposal mechanism of sputum and other human wastes, hospital officials said.

The space for the isolation wards has been carved off the male and female wards of patients with physical disability. The relatively more spacious male ward was selected to house the 10-bedded isolation ward while the female section has been converted into the quarantine zone for SARS positive cases.

Reflective of some thoughtfulness attached to patient comfort is the provision for a patio, which would allow in-patients to walk around without risking transmission of disease.

The fully-equipped ward, being constructed by the Public Works Department, is likely to be ready for commissioning by the end of the week.

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